It's been several months since Transport for London (TfL) has quietly withdrawn their paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass from TfL and railway stations.
This is a follow up to my previous article where I reported about TfL quietly withdrawing the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass from TfL and railway stations, then I updated the article as more information was found such as the Equality Impact Assesment (EqIA) and the answer by the Mayor of London.
Then I discovered an Freedom of Information (FOI) request (FOI-0938-2526, published 23 June 2025) submitted as a follow-up to FOI-3935-2425 and a related statement by the Mayor during Question Time (reference 2025/1785), which explored the impact of withdrawing the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass at stations. The requester raised concerns about the lack of adequate support for vulnerable passengers temporarily unable to pay for travel due to theft, fraud, blocked bank cards, or lack of digital access. While TfL confirmed it holds relevant information, it refused to disclose details of its support processes, citing exemptions under sections 31(1)(b) and 31(1)(g) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to protect fare evasion detection. TfL did confirm that an Equality Impact Assessment had already been shared in FOI-0170-2526, and noted that the Bus & Tram Pass remains available in Oyster card format via Ticket Stops, offering the same price and functionality as the former paper version.
Then I found two further FOI requests which show comments made by people impacted by the withdrawal of the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass.
The first, FOI-1718-2526, covers complaints and feedback received by TfL between 2 March and 1 August 2025. The Customer Services team identified eight contacts, two from the same correspondent, expressing significant difficulties caused by the withdrawal. Several individuals reported being victims of theft, resulting in their bank cards, Oyster cards, or smartphones being stolen, leaving them unable to access digital or contactless payment options. Many highlighted their inability to afford the £7 cost of a new Oyster card, which includes a non-refundable deposit, and described the withdrawal as disproportionately impacting vulnerable groups such as disabled people, those with walking difficulties, the elderly, and individuals facing financial hardship.
One correspondent from Mitcham Junction station explained their struggle to buy a paper pass after losing digital access and pointed out that the removal of paper passes disproportionately affected those unable to use contactless payments or smartphones. Another from Slade Green station recounted being unable to purchase a paper pass despite asking staff for help and highlighted the lack of nearby Oyster Ticket Stops and prepaid card outlets. This person emphasised the serious hardship caused by the withdrawal, urging TfL to reinstate the paper pass as an essential backup option.
Further comments criticised TfL for making the decision without public consultation or publishing an Equality Impact Assessment, raising concerns over the lack of consideration for disabled and digitally excluded passengers. Several correspondents referenced the Mayor of London’s previous statements asserting no impact from the withdrawal, noting that these did not reflect the real challenges faced by passengers awaiting replacement cards who were unable to pay for bus travel.
There were also criticisms about TfL’s lack of clear communication, with some users unaware of the withdrawal and frustrated that the TfL website continued to display the paper pass as available. Some highlighted that the Oyster version remained available at certain Oyster Ticket Stops, but these were often inconveniently located and not always selling bus passes, adding to confusion and barriers to travel.
One correspondent pointed to recent incidents such as a Barclays bank IT outage, which underscored the importance of retaining non-digital payment options to protect passengers from exclusion during system failures. Others referenced relevant legal duties, including the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, arguing TfL should have conducted proper consultation and assessed impacts on vulnerable groups more thoroughly.
The second FOI response, FOI-1902-2526, sought to broaden the search using alternative keyword phrases and covered the period from 2 March to 14 August 2025. It identified one additional contact not covered in the previous request. This individual expressed distress at the sudden withdrawal without announcement or consultation, highlighting difficulties caused by distant Oyster Ticket Stops, the inability to afford a new Oyster card due to reliance on Universal Credit, and the closure of local post offices and banks, which limited access to prepaid cards to pay for bus travel. The correspondent urged TfL to reinstate the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass at stations to provide a more convenient and accessible method for passengers to pay for bus travel.
Overall, these FOI responses reveal a consistent pattern of hardship among vulnerable passengers who rely on paper tickets or prepaid cards due to theft, financial constraints, or lack of access to digital payment methods. The withdrawal of the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass appears to have created significant barriers, with criticisms focusing on TfL’s decision-making process, lack of public consultation, insufficient communication, and failure to adequately support those most affected.
Meanwhile, in New York City, USA:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board recently approved fare increases and policy changes, including retiring the prepaid MetroCard 7-Day, 30-Day, and Express Bus Plus unlimited passes. These will be replaced with an automatic fare cap for all riders. Starting in 2026, tap-and-ride contactless payments will become mandatory on buses and subways, and coins will no longer be accepted on buses. The fee for a new OMNY card will be $2 when MetroCards are fully phased out, which is lower than the original $5 fee. OMNY cards are more durable, lasting up to five years, more than twice as long as the MetroCard. This shift reflects a wider global move towards cashless public transport systems but highlights the ongoing need to consider vulnerable and digitally excluded passengers in fare policy decisions.
In conclusion, while London Buses have been cash-free since 2014, the recent withdrawal of paper One Day Bus & Tram Passes has exposed the ongoing need to retain alternative, non-digital payment methods. Although contactless and digital payments are now the norm, paper tickets remain a vital option for vulnerable passengers who may face theft, financial hardship, or lack of access to digital technology. Preserving these alternatives is crucial to ensuring that public transport remains accessible and inclusive for all, preventing unnecessary exclusion and supporting those who rely on more traditional forms of payment.
If you have any concerns about TfL’s decision to quietly withdraw the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass without a consultation, you can write to your local elected representative, such as your Member of Parliament (MP), London Assembly Member, or Councillor. https://www.writetothem.com/
I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.
